Memphis Grizzlies' Zach Randolph (50) drives around Utah Jazz's Marvin Williams (2) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Memphis, Tenn., Wednesday, April 17, 2013. Randolph scored 25 points during the Grizzlies 86-70 victory over the Jazz. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston) (The Associated Press)
The Los Angeles Lakers secured a playoff spot even before taking the court, while the race for home-court advantage went into the final set of games.
The Lakers learned their turbulent season would continue when Memphis beat the Utah Jazz 86-70 on Wednesday night. That guaranteed Los Angeles a postseason spot, and the Lakers could even move up to the No. 7 seed by beating Houston in their regular-season finale.
The Grizzlies were hoping their victory would give them home-court advantage in a first-round series against the Clippers, but Los Angeles would get it by winning at Sacramento in what could be the Kings' final game there.
Carmelo Anthony won his first scoring title when he and Kevin Durant both sat out their games. The New York Knicks beat Atlanta 98-92 without Anthony, and Chicago took the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference and the Hawks settled for No. 6.
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